my residence within an hour. I have hopes that
this search will not be needed, that you will find him at home. But be
quicker than ever you were in your life, Curran. I'd go over to Cherry
Street myself, but my inquiries would frighten the Everards. There must
be no scandal."

Strange that he had not foreseen this possibility. For him the escapade
with the escaped nun would have been a joke, and he had not thought how
differently Louis must have regarded it. If the lad had really fled, and
his friends must learn of it, Sister Claire's share in the matter would
have to remain a profound secret. With all their great love for this
boy, his clan would rather have seen him borne to the grave than living
under the shadow of scandal in connection with this vicious woman. Her
perfidy would add disgrace to grief, and deepen their woe beyond time's
power to heal.

For with this people the prejudice against impurity was so nobly
unreasonable that mere suspicion became equal to crime. This feeling
intensified itself in regard to the priesthood. The innocence of Louis
would not save him from lifelong reproach should his recent adventure
finds its way into the sneering journals. Within the hour Curran, more
anxious than Arthur himself, brought word that the lad had not yet
reached home. His people were not worried, and promised to send him with
speed to Arthur.

"Begin your search then," said Arthur, "and report here every hour. I
have an idea he may have gone to see an aunt of his, and I'll go there
to find out. What is your plan?"

"He has no money, and he'll want to go as far as he can, and where he
won't be easily got at. He'll ship on an Indiaman. I'll set a few men to
look after the outgoing ships as a beginning."

"Secrecy above all things, understand," was the last admonition.

Darkness had come on, and the clocks struck the hour of seven as Arthur
set out for a visit to Sister Mary Magdalen. Possibly Louis had sought
her to tell the story of failure and shame, the sad result of her
foolish enterprise; and she had kept him to console him, to put him in
shape before his return home, so that none might mark the traces of his
frightful emotion. Alas, the good nun had not seen him since their visit
to Claire's office in Bleecker Street the day before. He concealed from
her the situation.

"How in the name of Heaven," said he, "did you conceive this scheme of
converting this woman?"

"She has a soul to be saved, and it'